Posts Tagged ‘belladonna’

Belladonna and Podsworth are both still with me! She has lost a lot of weight because of her hyperthyroidism but is hanging on by sheer force of will (and meds). He has gained weight due to middle-aged spread, and also eating her diet. He’s about 2.5 times her weight now, and while it’s not super obvious at first glance, you can sure feel the difference picking them up. Oof.

Belladonna is 16 and a half now, and taking advantage of every single bit of spoiling that allows her. She’s got heating pads, cat stairs, wet food, broth, beef baby food, and she’s still an angry little waffle demanding I turn the faucet on for her to drink from. On the other hand, she sleeps on my chest sometimes and is smol and floof and I will miss her terribly when she finally shrinks to nothingness. She’s 30% tail and 70% grumpy, but still very pretty and lovable!

Podzilla there is in my spot, the little jerkface. He’s hit 10 which makes him officially also an elderly cat, but aside from the chonkification he’s pretty much the same as ever. He loves three things in life, cheese, feet, and pets. He’s currently asleep on my feet, because I was fidgeting too much to keep petting him when he was trying to sleep on my tummy. Both of them have deep resentment of my laptop and smartphone and would like to put in an op ed to the NYT except they aren’t allowed to use the computer. Woe.

Happy New Year from Thing One and Thing Two!

Santa says Ho Ho Ho but Bellaboo says No No No. For the record, the offending ribbon has been banished to someone’s holiday gift, and neither one of them was willing to wear it longer than the photo.

As we all know, excellent cats are a crucial component of your artist’s mental health and happiness. I’m happy to report that both kitties also survived 2017!

Belladonna, aka Thing 1

Belladonna is a grumpy old lady, going on 16 years this spring. She’s got some arthritis and other senior cat health issues, but 10 minutes before this picture was taken she was zooming around the apartment like a kitten, so clearly she’s still doing pretty well. We’re saving up to take her to the vet for another elder pet check-up, which involves a $250 blood test, so feel free to contribute to her wellness in any way you like.

She’s very cuddly when she wants to be, and spends a lot of time sleeping on her heated cat bed. She’s started draping herself over the back of my loveseat and onto my shoulder to demand petting, and because she’s 16 she gets what she wants. Frankly, when I’m that old, I hope someone spoils me half as well.

Pod is a mere 9 this past fall, and has moved into his middle age with extra bonus naps and a bit of bodaciousness in the back end. He’s also doubled down on his tendency to tuck himself into a purrito, so I always have to check blankets before I move or sit on them now.

When not sleeping underneath, he’s a spot-stealing little jerkface. He’s also due for a checkup and claw clipping, but it’s going to be a normal, reasonable amount of money since he’s not yet at the old man stage. Since he’s already spoiled enough that he gets to sleep all day and then for a change of pace sleep all night, I’m not sure much will change for him when he officially hits old age.

If you want to keep up with them during the rest of the year (and see what I’m working on, art-wise), you can follow me on Instagram for regular doses of spoiled kitties.

The Doubleclicks got 50 women and non-binary artists to illustrate their amazing video for Women Know Math, and I got to be part of it! I am absolutely in love with this song, the video, and everything it has to say.

Although they licensed the art for this specific use, the original is up for grabs in all its cat-filled glory. A rare self-portrait by the artist, with special guest appearances by Podsworth and Belladonna, this drawing bursts out of its boundaries with glorious movement and joy.

I Am Not Here to Please You, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, there is possibly the most accurate drawing I’ve ever made of Belladonna, and some pj pants I only wish I owned. Below, you can see this drawing framed, including the very faint pencil reminder up in the top portion with the text I was meant to using.

If you’re ever looking at small pieces of original art, or small art prints, and wondering what one does with such a tiny thing when one has a giant wall to fill, here’s one suggestion! Get a bunch of similar-but-not-exactly-the-same frames. Get a bunch of art that complements each other or contrasts interestingly. Finally, mess around with the arrangement on the floor before you hang it.

You can put a lot of one person’s work in a single space that way, or a little bit of a lot of artists. You can keep to a color scheme or go with whatever you love. You can have simple black or white frames, or beautiful ornate gold ones like a Victorian parlor. Go with whatever you love, but don’t let small beauties go unloved because they don’t fill the spot above your mantel!

And in case you were wondering about the accidental inspiration for last month’s lovely palette of greys and peaches and warm earthy tones, it was another small beauty: Belladonna.

Want a little art in your life?

I want to help you out with that. All of my original art comes with free shipping, so don't sweat the small stuff. Just look and see what calls to you, what you think you might want to live with -- even if it doesn't match the couch.